BRIAN SWATUK did much good work with horses over his years as riders including CAPTAIN SUNBURST, featured on John Wolfe’s blog on his father Sheldon’s horses. MICHAEL BURNS WIN PHOTO
BRIAN SWATUK – 1949-2014
Following a lengthy illness, one of Canada’s most talented horsemen, BRIAN SWATUK, has passed away in Caledon.
A winner of over 1,000 races and well known for his work with young horses, Brian was the leading rider in Ontario in 1968, beating out Robin Platts, Richard Grubb and other big names after taking the title at the Woodbine autumn meeting. He also won titles at Fort Erie.
One of his greatest years was in 1990 when he was 41 and returning from troubles with substance abuse. In that season, Swatuk won 57 races, 13 stakes races and was the 2nd leading rider by stakes wins. He rode many horses for Sam-Son Farms’ and trainer Jim Day.
Brian is well known for his win on STEADY GROWTH in the 1979 Queen’s Plate in a sea of slop, giving Donald ‘Bud’ Willmot his first Plate win for his Kinghaven Farms. He also rode the super filly AVOWAL for Rick Kennedy – she won the Canadian Oaks by 11 lengths in 1982. Brian also talked a lot about ETERNAL SEARCH, a multiple champion, as another of his favourite horses.
Brian rode DANCE SMARTLY early in her career and his comment to trainer Jim Day one morning – “this may be the best horse I have ever sat on” has gone down in the annals of Canadian racing history.
Starts: 8,573
Firsts: 1,074
Seconds: 1,089
Thirds: 1,068
Earnings: $16,571,811
Brian last rode in 2003 when he won 2 races from 10 starts.
WEEKEND NEWS
EXCAPER popped out of the gate quickly in the El Prado Stakes at Gulfstream yesterday and set the pace from the rail. badgered much of the way, the Ian Black trainee led at the top of the stretch but was overhauled by Mshawish, the odds-on favourite who won by 2 lengths.
The winning Beyer Figure was 96 for Mshawish, a Medgadlia D’Oro colt.
The Harlan’s Holiday Stakes on the Gulfstream card was won by the lightly raced LIAM’S MAP in 1:42.51 for 1 1/16 miles. The grey colt posted a 111 Beyer Figure. He is a son of Unbridled’s Song. Canadian-bred stakes winner Hampstead Heath was 7th.
In the South Beach Stakes at 7 1/2 furlongs on the grass, the Smart Strike filly Marbre Rose was the narrow winner in a frantic finish. Canadian bred SKYLANDER GIRL, owned and trained by Alex Patykewich, was 6th beaten just 1 1/4 lengths after leading at the top of the stretch. WHY KATHERINE, from Terra Racing, was 8th beaten just 3 3/4 lengths.
MR. AMOS, an Ontario bred by Where’s the Ring (now standing in Alberta) was a game winner of a starter allowance ($50,000) at Aqueduct on Sunday, winning by half a length in 1:13.71 over a heavy favourite. The 2yo is out of Moon Mist by Key to the Moon and was bred by Paradox Farm.
TORONTO STAR – ONTARIO HORSE RACING – Woodbine 2014 meeting, TB’s steady, Standardbreds up in wagering
http://www.thestar.com/sports/2014/12/11/ontario_horse_racing_heads_into_2015_with_momentum.html
ADENA SPRINGS OPEN HOUSE
Adena Springs North will host an open house and stallion show on December 28, 2014 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Food and beverages will be served and attendees will be eligible to win one of three free 2015 no guarantee seasons to a top Adena Springs North stallion.
The first name drawn will choose from a free 2015 no guarantee season to either Milwaukee Brew, Sligo Bay, Silent Name or Giant Gizmo. The remaining two winners will choose from the seasons not already selected. Full details and conditions will be available on site.
Milwaukee Brew, Sligo Bay, Silent Name and Giant Gizmo all currently rank among the top 10 Canadian stallions in 2014. Adena Springs North boasts two more top 12 stallions in Wilko and North Light who both return to Adena North for 2015. Wilko leads all Canadian stallions with three 2014 graded stakes winners and North Light is the sire of group/graded stakes winners on three continents.
Two exciting newcomers to Canada will be on display as well. Rookie Sensation, an impressive Grade 2 winner by Unbridled’s Song from the female line of A. P. Indy, retires to Adena Springs North for 2015. The versatile and durable Einstein moves north of the border from Adena Springs Kentucky. He was a five-time Grade 1 winner on turf and all-weather as well as being a Grade 2 winner/Grade 1-placed on dirt.
The Adena Springs North 2015 stallion roster is rounded out by Singing Saint, a gorgeous, unbeaten son of sire-of-sires El Prado.
The December 28 stallion show will also serve as the formal launch of the new Adena Advantage stallion incentive program. For mor information, please contact Dermot Carty dermotcarty@aol.com/(416)-518-1449 or Amanda Motz (647) 824-3158/amotz@adenastallions.com
Adena Springs North is located at 14875 Bayview Avenue in Aurora, Ontario.
HORSES THAT WON THE MOST RACES AT CANADIAN RACETRACKS 2014
BEAR ROCKNROLL won 7 races in 2014 – PATTI TUBBS PHOTO
BEAR ROCKNROLL, by Kafwain and foaled in Kentucky, won 7 races in 2014 all at HASTINGS PARK and all for Bob Leffler and trainer Craig McPherson. He is an 8-year-old gelding who was claimed by Leffler in 2008 for $25,000 and he is still racing and winning at the $16,000 claiming level. The gelding was originally a $205,000 yearling purchase by Bear Stables and he began his career in Kentucky and then Alberta.
Alberta-bred 4-year-old gelding LOVELY START won 6 races at Northlands Park for Shot in the Dark and Derby Quest Racing and trainer Grey Tracy. The son of Tempered Appeal was bred by A & W Farms.
HST Bearrock N Roll 9 7 0 0 $54,052 78% 7 78% 94
NP Lovely Start 8 6 1 0 $41,536 75% 7 88% 90
WO Calgary Cat 7 5 1 1 $315,000 71% 7 100% 112
NP Time for a Memory 7 5 0 0 $54,977 71% 5 71% 72
NP Quite Contrary 9 5 1 2 $32,826 56% 8 89% 83
MD Annadu 5 5 0 0 $14,181 100% 5 100% 74
MD California Poppy 9 5 1 1 $12,159 56% 7 78% 79
HST Kai’s Command 5 5 0 0 $40,403 100% 5 100% 91
HST Toccet’s Charm 10 5 0 0 $34,557 50% 5 50% 83
ASD Nose the Pose 7 5 0 0 $54,711 71% 5 71% 86
ASD Calitor 7 5 2 0 $44,761 71% 7 100% 91
ASD Touch the Sun 7 5 0 1 $30,296 71% 6 86% 96
ASD Lovely Sunrise 9 5 2 0 $27,100 56% 7 78% 92
WO Strut the Course 7 4 1 0 $322,903 57% 5 71% 110
WO Executive Allure 6 4 1 0 $266,441 67% 5 83% 98
WO Hillaby 5 4 0 0 $244,071 80% 4 80% 109
WO Dancing Ashley 9 4 3 1 $213,547 44% 8 89% 102
WO Maythefourthbwithu 8 4 1 1 $182,452 50% 6 75% 93
WO Two Brews to Go 8 4 1 0 $109,528 50% 5 63% 88
WO Machito 6 4 0 0 $100,495 67% 4 67% 96
WO Bear’s Pearl 9 4 1 0 $100,334 44% 5 56% 96
WO Saturdayatbernies 9 4 0 1 $86,649 44% 5 56% 102
WO Solina Bambolina 10 4 0 1 $70,050 40% 5 50% 93
WO Steel Dust Dancer 8 4 0 0 $69,345 50% 4 50% 101
WO Anfield Park 7 4 2 1 $64,762 57% 7 100% 83
NP Killin Me Smalls 9 4 2 2 $83,234 44% 8 89% 104
NP Saint Sassy Sue 9 4 1 0 $52,291 44% 5 56% 78
NP Holy Force 10 4 3 3 $49,052 40% 10 100% 83
NP Classic Crusader 11 4 1 1 $38,948 36% 6 55% 96
NP Bobby Handy 11 4 1 2 $36,654 36% 7 64% 96
NP Wine Stock 5 4 0 1 $28,647 80% 5 100% 102
MD Bell Zone 6 4 0 1 $11,231 67% 5 83% 86
HST Koffee Grinder 7 4 2 0 $135,132 57% 6 86% 109
HST Dawselina 7 4 0 1 $77,663 57% 5 71% 93
HST Clarisse B 8 4 0 2 $42,063 50% 6 75% 82
HST Ruffy Joe 9 4 3 0 $36,357 44% 7 78% 88
HST Flemings Beach 8 4 0 1 $29,749 50% 5 63% 78
HST Madaya 10 4 2 1 $29,044 40% 7 70% 75
HST Rachael Run 9 4 0 2 $27,617 44% 6 67% 70
HST Captain Salt 10 4 0 0 $21,176 40% 4 40% 79
FE Sandys Hurricane 5 4 0 0 $47,801 80% 4 80% 93
FE Tom Joy 5 4 0 0 $37,418 80% 4 80% 107
FE A. T. Hall 11 4 4 1 $29,303 36% 9 82% 93
HONG KONG RECAP – jockey Spencer announces “unretirement”
FLINTSHIRE, second in the Arc, stretches out to win the Hong Kong Vase – STEVE QUEEN PHOTO
Flintshire gains deserved Group 1 in Vase
By David Baxter 6:14AM 14 DEC 2014
Sha Tin: Longines Hong Kong Vase (Group 1) 1m4f, 3yo+
FLINTSHIRE, so often the bridesmaid at the highest level, went one better for Andre Fabre and Maxime Guyon when being in the right place in a slowly-run race.
The four-year-old had finished second on his last three starts, including the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe and the Longines Breeders’ Cup Turf, but was able to quicken in the home straight at a crucial moment and hold off the late thrust of Willie Cazals.
MORE FROM RACING POST
JAMIE SPENCER has performed a dramatic u-turn and will continue as a freelance jockey after abandoning plans to retire from the saddle.
Spencer, who has captured a host of major races including six Classics, was set to take up a management role with Qatar Racing after his riding contract with Sheikh Fahad Al Thani and his brothers was not renewed.
However, four months after dropping the bombshell that he was quitting the saddle in August, the 34-year-old has revealed he has had a change of heart.
“Sheikh Fahad and Qatar Racing offered me a wonderful opportunity to become part of their management team but, after much reflection, I have decided that at this stage in my life I am not going to accept it,” he said.
“I have discussed at length with Sheikh Fahad my decision to carry on riding and he fully understands and supports me. He appreciates that riding is what makes me happy and the last thing he wants to do is stand in the way of that.
ABLE FRIEND wins Mile, Trade Storm 7th
- GRAND PRIX BOSS, a handsome horse, on his way to a 3rd in the Hong Kong Mile STEVE QUEEN PHOTO, courtesy horse-races.net
STEPHEN RIGBY, NEW OLG PREZ, WILL OVERSEE RACING INTEGRATION
Canada’s Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) has appointed Stephen Rigby as the company’s new chief executive and president, almost a year after the departure of the company’s previous CEO Rod Philips.
Rigby will begin his duties from January 5th next year, having held a number of government roles, most recently serving as National Security Advisor to the Prime Minister of Canada.
He has also served as president of the Canada Border Services Agency and associate deputy director of the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade.
“Stephen Rigby was chosen for his skills and experience in leading organizational change,” OLG chairman Philip Olsson said. “The board is confident that Mr Rigby has the ideal experience for the job and will follow through on OLG’s renewal plan.
“Under his leadership, OLG will keep its focus on responsible gambling while building a strong lottery, gaming, charitable gaming and iGaming industry,” he added.
As president and CEO of OLG, Rigby will take charge of a business with 7,000 employees, and lottery product sales at more than 9,800 retail locations throughout the province. It is set to launch its iGaming offering, PlayOLG.ca, early next year. He will also oversee the integration of horse racing into its gaming strategy to help ensure a sustainable industry.
OLG generates approximately CAD$2bn a year for the Ontario government, the largest source of non-tax revenue in the province, with the funds used for healthcare and education.
“I am eager to begin my role with the OLG Board and management team at this critical point in OLG’s transition,” Rigby commented. “I will be focused on helping to ensure OLG is offering its customers the best possible lottery and gaming entertainment experience for the benefit of the people and the Province of Ontario.”
The state’s Minister of Finance Charles Sousa said he looked forward to working with Rigby “as he leads OLG in its continued modernization to increase returns supporting important priorities for Ontarians, including health care and education, while promoting a sustainable horse racing industry.”
